STEAM

The Need for STEAM Education for Youth in Mississippi

Mississippi ranks low in the nation for projected growth of STEAM jobs and in growth of computing jobs. Many of our kids will not be prepared to fill these positions. Currently Mississippi ranks low in:

  • time schools spend teaching science, in access to teachers who majored in science
  • access to teachers who majored in math; in giving math teachers the resources they need
  • STEM/STEAM degrees/certifications
  • after school opportunities with STEM focus


In a state that always comes last, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast can be first to move FULL STEAM AHEAD.

Full STEAM Ahead Steps

Digital Literacy Essentials

Digital Literacy Essentials activities are engaging and exciting project experiences that provide members of all ability levels with a foundation of technology skills that explore digital safety, privacy, digital presence, online communication, and the educational fun of retro gaming.


MyFuture

MyFuture provides members with.a safe, fun digital platform to showcase their work and earn recognition in the form of stars, badges, and master badges. It's a space where kids can interact with each other - free from the prospect of cyberbullying - and share their accomplishments locally and nationally.


Badges include:

• Creative Expression

• Game Design

• Online Safety

• Design an App

• Filmmaker

• Storyboarding

MakerSpace S.T.E.A.M. Studio

Three tracks: The Developer Academy, Multimedia Production, or Blue Economy. Culturally relevant, to create opportunities that feel inclusive to youth from under-represented groups. Includes an environment where youth have the freedom to explore at their pace and learn about concepts that fascinate them.


Track 1: Developer Academy

Youth take a deeper dive into the hard scientific, technological, engineering or mathematical skills needed to drive progress or create a new concept.


Track 2: Multimedia Production

This uses the arts to inspire, engage, and empower youth to lead and give them outlets for self-expression.


Track 3: Blue Economy

The location of the Gulf Coast makes it home to a variety of well-paying marine-related technical jobs. Mississippi's innovative Blue Economy is one of the strongest in America, boasting the nation's third-highest concentration of blue economy jobs.

The Developer Academy

The Developer Academy will prepare youth for jobs in the thriving app economy. With the plan to provide training in several technology fields, we look to give our members an opportunity to enter any industry, well-prepared with next generation tech skills.


This includes:

• Web Design & Development

• Coding

• Robotics

• Cybersecurity

• Programming

• Augmented Reality


1st Job Readiness

Boys & Girls Clubs' unique approach to workforce readiness prepares youth for success in their first jobs and helps them develop a plan to achieve their chosen careers. Through partnerships, BGCGC helps teens with internships, apprenticeships, and first job placement.

STEAM MakerSpace Studios

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) converge at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coasts' Youth Makerspace Studio, engaging the next generation of makers, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs, who work side-by-side with staff, community professionals, and subject matter experts in all facets of the creative process. With the Makerspace Studio, our Club members have the opportunity to discover, assemble, problem solve, construct, test, and explore using outside of the box thinking. The Makerspace Studio is reserved for creative exploration, engineering, tinkering, inventing, and purposeful play; it inspires new passions for Club members and caters to their unique multiple intelligences.

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Blue Entertainment Studios

Blue Entertainment Studios uses the power of the entertainment and media arts to inspire, engage, and empower thousands of youth to lead and give them outlets for self-expression. The initiative provides members with hands-on training and teaches them how to fully operate a recording studio, produce music and videos and sharpen their skills as a song-writer and vocalist. Custom STEAM based electronic music equipment and curriculum are used in our studios and hands-on trainings cover the basics of recording arts, music production, video production and engineering. Studio Blue is equipped with the latest technology to provide young musicians with a professional sound.

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